Whittier Christian can't stop Arrowhead Christian

WHITTIER – Whittier Christian was on its heels for most of the night trying to stop the Arrowhead Christian running attack.

The Eagles ran for 386 yards, led by senior running back Noah Mowbray’s 131 and two touchdowns, to spoil the Heralds’ home opener, 57-21, Friday at Whittier College.

“We definitely have a lot of work to do,” Whittier Christian coach Sergio Gradilla said. “We played a very, very, very good football team.”

That they did. Last season, Arrowhead Christian (2-0) reached the final of the CIF-SS Northwest Division. Against Whittier Christian (1-1), it showed why.

The Eagles showed their running attack early on the first drive as they rushed on seven of eight plays for 58 yards, capped by a 13-yard sweep by Mowbray.

Mowbray extended the Arrowhead Christian lead to 14-0 on a 40-yard interception return off Whittier Christian quarterback Quinn Commans.

Nick Watase got the Heralds back in the game quickly returning the ensuing kickoff 88 yards down the right sideline for the touchdown to cut the Eagles lead to 14-7 with 2:21 left in the first quarter.

Watase had a big night as he also had nine receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

“The kid never stops playing,” Gradilla said. “He was the one bright spot for us tonight.”

Arrowhead Christian never let Whittier Christian get any traction for the rest of the half. On the ensuing possession that resulted in a 37-yard field goal by BradleySlayman, the Eagles recovered a squib kickoff and never let up to jump out to a 32-7 halftime lead.

The Heralds finally scored again with 45 seconds left to play in the third quarter when Commans connected with Watase for a 46-yard pass to make the score 51-14.